September 19, 2022

Scoring on the soccer field before settling into service

Tristan Trager, Class of 2022, currently plays professional soccer for Atlanta United 2. (courtesy photo by Atlanta United) By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Even before Tristan Trager completed his geospatial science degree at the U.S. Air Force Academy, he was drafted by a Major League Soccer team. That was January 2022. Five months later he completed his bachelor of science degree and all other Academy requirements and then joined Atlanta United’s minor league team, United 2. Making the adjustment from cadet to pro athlete took some getting used to. Trager...

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September 28, 2022

Tackling space missions for over six decades

International Space Station passes over the U.S. Air Force Academy Nov. 17, 2021. During its course over the Front Range, Col. Raja Chari, Class of 1999, served on board. (Photo illustration by Tony Muro, Class of 1999)­­­ U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy has a long history of supporting the country’s space mission and developing officers ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. In fact, a member of the Academy’s very first graduating class went on to be an astronaut and we now commission graduates into the U.S. Space...

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February 1, 2023

Academy launches Leader of Character manual and certificate program

Mr. Paul Huffman, Center for Character and Leadership Development instructor, presents a Leader of Character: Lifting Others workshop this year at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The workshop is one of the core workshops required for the Superintendent's Leader of Character Certificate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) by U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Academy published U.S. Air Force Academy Manual 36-3526 codifying its Leader of Character Framework as standard guidance for leadership development, and launched the Superintendent’s Leader of Character Certificate Program augmenting the effort, today. The release marks the...

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May 18, 2023

Scholars unite for war, the Holocaust, human rights discussion

Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy and University of Texas at Dallas are collaborating on the inaugural War, the Holocaust, and Human Rights Conference, at which speakers will discuss lessons learned from the atrocities of World War II, such as those that took place at the former Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, Oświęcim, Poland, pictured here. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, COLO.- While differing viewpoints often drive people further apart, members of the U.S. Air Force Academy hope a partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas will...

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February 8, 2023

CCLD director says NCLS offers professional development opportunities

Col. Kurt Wendt, director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development, in his office at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 5, 2023. Wendt’s focus is to develop leaders of character at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Senior Airman Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Growing up in small-town Wisconsin, Col. Kurt Wendt was not sure what he wanted to do for a career. He did know, however, he wanted to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy due to the school’s reputation. “Joining the Air...

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March 2, 2023

NCLS 2023: Jared Isaacman says leaders must empower their teams

Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments and mission commander of Polaris Dawn, addresses cadets during his fireside chat at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 23, 2023. He shares his experience building high performance teams with National Character and Leadership Symposium attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tali Burress U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Jared Isaacman, pilot, civilian astronaut and CEO of Shift4 payments, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his U.S. Air Force Academy’s National Character and Leadership Symposium fireside chat.   Isaacman shared why leadership and teamwork secured...

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April 3, 2023

Cadet Chapel reaches restoration milestone

Contractors lower the final panel of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel during a ceremony, March 30, 2023. The ceremony signified the transition from the demolition phase and site preparation to the reconstruction phase of the chapel restoration. Academy officials expect contractors to complete the work by 2027. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel restoration project reached a landmark milestone when contractors removed the final aluminum panel March 30. The event marked the 1,008th...

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April 13, 2023

Junior cadet selected as Academy’s 24th Truman Scholar

Cadet 2nd Class Isobel Dernlan, recipient of the Truman Scholarship U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Isobel Dernlan, Class of 2024, has been selected to receive the highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The junior was named among 62 Truman Scholars selected from 705 applicants nominated by 275 colleges, universities and military service academies. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation selects Truman Scholars from finalists who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, as well as academic excellence. Each...

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April 17, 2023

Cadets create Academy “green tour”

Cadets first class Ardent Almazan, Emily Lukowski and Maddie Williams (left to right) admire the sustainability features in Polaris Hall, a LEED Gold-certified building, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 4, 2023. The cadets developed a green tour of the Academy for their Geospatial capstone. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Justin Pacheco)  By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - You can now take a “green tour” of the U.S. Air Force Academy, thanks to three senior cadets’ geospatial sciences capstone project.  Cadets first class Emily Lukowski, Maddie Williams and Ardent Almazan spent this semester...

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April 26, 2023

Air power, joint operations dominate Eaker Lecture discussion

Cadet 1st Class Catherine Manning moderates a discussion with Gen. James Hecker and retired Gen. Tod Wolters during the Eaker Lecture at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 19, 2023. Retired Generals Philip Breedlove and Jeffrey Harrigian participated remotely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)   By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -  Present and former U.S. Air Forces Europe commanders shared insights into the year-old Russia-Ukraine war with cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy Wednesday during the Ira C. Eaker Distinguished Lecture.  Current USAFE commander Gen. James Hecker, Academy class of...

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